Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and emails. It really does help to hear from everyone. We are still so grief stricken. I have literally ruined a pair of contacts from crying so much.Being at home is the hardest part. Our whole house was decorated and organized to be Maggie-proofed because she was always getting into messes! She loved to cause trouble and was truly Maggie the messmaker!The reminders of her little sweet self are everywhere and almost too much to bear. I have so many happy memories of her: climbing in the boxes every time I was packing up artwork to send out. To her "helping" me gesso a canvas. I still have her painty paw prints in my studio! She loved climbing on our desk when I was on the computer -- she would block the monitor so I couldn't see, sometimes pawing at the mouse cursor. Always a kitten at heart!I know in time we will heal and the pain will lessen. Thank you again for all your many wonderful comments of support. It really helps!xxxox

I recently found your blog and kept checking to see how your kitty was doing. I am so very sorry....I had hoped so much to read she was OK each time I looked. I have nine cats..all house cats...I understand everything you wrote. Jill

Oh, I had so hoped to read that she was doing better. I'm so attached to my little Pistol-cat, I can't even imagine how much you must be hurting. I'm so sorry for your loss...you and your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Yep, the reminders are so hard to bear. When Booger was gone, I realized that I hadn't yet washed his sweater from that past winter, so it still had his dog hair on it. And it smelled like him. I put it in a plastic bag so that I could open it up and smell him when I wanted. Crazy, I know. I also slept with one of his toys for about a week. Hoping you are doing a bit better today.

I've stalked your blog for awhile because I love your artwork. However, I've not read it lately until today. I am very sorry to hear about your Maggie. My cocker spaniel, Maxie was diognosed with Anemia last year. When we took her in and they figured out what was wrong with her, they told us that she probably wouldn't being coming home. I was 8.5 months pregnant when this happened. By some miracle...and my vet said that it was a miracle, she responded to the treatment and recovered, but it has been a long road and we will have to deal with this for the rest of her puppy life. (She is 5)

Again, I am sorry for you and I will say a prayer for you and Maggie tonight.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it is to lose a pet. In so many ways they are our children, and in other ways our best friends...I lost my golden Hailey in March and my heart is still heavy. Hailey was completely in love with our daughter (now 9 months old) and we've had experiences that make us think that Hailey is still here in spirit looking over Lorelei. I'm so glad that Maggie had such a loving home with such devoted people to care for her. I'll be keeping your family in my thoughts.

I am so saddened to read this! I have been out of town and am just getting back online with an internet connection here at the hotel, and the first thing I did was to check Maggie's progress on your blog. I was truly expecting to read something else, not this, and the news makes me absolutely sick inside for your loss. I know from experience how much this hurts and do wish you well as you move through the grief. :o(

I'm so sorry. I know you must be hurting horribly. I just hope in time, your wonderful memories will bring you comfort. You made a wonderful, loving home for Maggie, and that is a great, good thing. Your love for her did make a difference. I hope your heart can find peace.

Oh Claudine, I'm so sorry. 2 months ago tomorrow (why can't I get that date out of my head?) we had to put our sweet greyhound down, so I have an all too fresh idea of how you're feeling. Remember how much you loved her, and good memories will start popping up when you least expect them, and those are to be cherished.

give your self time claudine, remember I still don't put the toilet paper on the holders and Belle who nibbled it when she was bored has been gone two years in a few days. love and hugs to all of you...

Claudine,I have tears running down my face as I read about the loss of your dear sweet Maggie. It'll be 5 years on July 4th that I lost my dear boy Spritle under very similar circumstances. He was only 4 and we don't know why he suddenly got sick.

It's heartbreaking to know that you are going through the same thing right now. Please don't let the guilt and "only if" scenarios consume you. Not knowing the cause is very difficult because you can't help but think there was something you could/should have done differently.

It's obvious how much Maggie was loved. She knew it, and you need to let that be a comfort to you. Treasure the memories of the short time you had with her. Let yourself grieve your loss. Know that people care about you and are so sorry for your pain. ((((many HUGS))))

Oh Claudine, I am so sorry. I know how you feel to lose your baby. We now have Abby the Golden and Jonah the Maine Coon and they send you love up to Orlando from Fort Myers. Sorry about Maggie honey. Looking forward to seeing you next February in Bonita Springs at the Art League. I am waiting to hear if they have space left. Don't fret over the pest control too much, I live south of you and of course it's pest city here also. We don't have any indoor treatment done and so far we've done okay, but we're only in this house 3 years. My aunt's cat ate a skink one time, and before she could grab it out of her mouth, it poisoned her. That was her baby. So maybe it was a bug she got a hold of. Maggie will watch over your studio and you & Paul.Be well!

oh no claudine, i am so sorry to hear that maggie is gone. it is heart wrenching i totally understand, these little creatures that become such a part of our lives and families. it's tough either way- i was with my kitty when we had to put her to sleep, the guilt creeps into other thoughts. maggie had a life full of love, she could not have asked for better parents. you'll see each other again in the hereafter. lots of love and hugs to you!

Claudine, I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. I had to put one down a few years ago after she was my companion for many years. It was so hard. One thing that helped which you might consider: I wrote her a long goodbye letter. It was very therapeutic.

Maddie and I are without words to express our sympathy. Maddie came into my life because Wendy went over the rainbow bridge almost a year ago. Let's hope Wendy and Maggie are playing together and waiting for us.

Oh Claudine....I have been away for a couple of days and your blog is the first thing I checked when I went online. I am so sorry to hear about Maggie. I feel bad that I missed your post on Friday. She sounds like she was such a fun loving kitty...she looks so much like our Midnight. She lived a wonderful few years with you and Paul as devoted, loving parents. She will always have a special place in your hearts.

I'm so sorry to hear about Maggie. I cried for you and for her when I read your goodbye. It was eerie reading your posts the last week. I was going through almost the same thing with one of my kitties so everything you wrote hit very close to home for me. Vicki wasn't eating or drinking so I rushed her to the vet last Thursday. They also tested her for an auto immune disease. I was lucky though because she is back home now, eating on her own and doing better. We are still waiting to hear about her test results.

I feel your pain every time I think about your loss. Just please remember that your family and friends (and you internet friends) are all here to help and support you in any way you need.

So sorry to hear about Maggie. I lost Leo in April and it still hurts. It took awhile but now when I think of Leo I smile instead of crying. But I cried alot before that happened. You're Maggie looks so sweet. Love doesn't go away when the one we love dies. It stays inside and makes us smile. I'm sure you'll be smiling soon too when you think of Maggie.